Libretti and Libations & Utah Opera's The Merry Widow

:: UTAH OPERA :: BODEGA :: THE REST :: BTG ::

*photo via Utah Opera

Saturday Devon and I had the opportunity to attend the premier of Utah Opera's The Merry Widow at Capitol Theatre. It was our first opera experience and we had such a fun time!

**You have until tomorrow, 1/20, at noon to enter my ticket giveaway to see The Merry Widow for yourself!**

Before the opera we had planned to hit the remaining three downtown spots serving craft cocktails for Salt Lake Magazine's and Utah Opera's Libretti and Libations partnership - Bodega [The Rest,] BTG Wine Bar, & Pallet Bistro. [See Finca's L&L cocktail, the Sloe Waltz here.] Unfortunately, Devon left his wallet and ID behind and had to run home. In the meantime, I grabbed a cocktail at Bodega while waiting for a spot to open up at The Rest downstairs. If you haven't visited The Rest, it is such a special spot. I highly advise making a reservation 3 days to a week in advance, especially if hoping to visit on a weekend.

Bodega's BUFFALA NEGRA :: Bourbon, Rye, Balsamic, Basil, Ginger Beer. Really, really good.

It turned out to be serendipitous that Devon had to go back for his wallet - I hadn't expected The Rest to be completely booked, even at 5pm, and while I waited I grabbed a fantastic cocktail at Bodega. I don't think The Rest would've been able to accommodate the two of us in time, but alone I was able to slip into a corner spot and sip their Libretti and Libations special - The Rue Royale [Linie Aquavit, Old Tom Gin, B&B, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, Honey syrup] I'm not the biggest Aquavit fan, and it was a tad sweet for my tastes, but if you're into Old Tom Gin or anise-y flavors at all you've got to give this one a try. I was trying to flag cocktail to try for future visits, but I would have highlighted their entire menu - it's an experience not to be missed / please take me with you.

The Rest's' RUE ROYALE :: Linie Aquavit, Old Tom Gin, B&B, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, Honey syrup

The Rest's' RUE ROYALE :: Linie Aquavit, Old Tom Gin, B&B, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, Honey syrup

Once finished, I ran back to meet up with Devon and we had just enough time to find parking and grab a quick drink (and another) and split a plate of gnocchi at BTG. BTG opened while I was pregnant and I still somehow hadn't made it over there. With dining options from next door's Salt Lake Italian staple and their sister restaurant, Caffé Molise, if you're a fan of pasta, southern Italian fare, or wine at all, BTG [hint: BTG = by the glass] is worth the visit. We ordered a pair of their L&L special - the Good Fortune [Elijah Craig 12 Year Bourbon, Grand Marnier, Frangelico, Fresh Orange Juice, Black Walnut Bitters.] As a whiskey lover through and through and with the vibes of a fancied up Old Fashioned, I enjoyed this one.

BTG's Good Fortune :: Elijah Craig 12 Year Bourbon, Grand Marnier, Frangelico, Fresh Orange Juice, Black Walnut Bitters

[Side note: I so wish I had taken note of our server's name. We were so short on time, scrambling to make it to the opera in time after the forgotten wallet detour, and our server was nothing short of incredible.]

BTG's / Caffe Molise's Tomato Gnocchi

BTG's Good Fortune :: Elijah Craig 12 Year Bourbon, Grand Marnier, Frangelico, Fresh Orange Juice, Black Walnut Bitters

Unfortunately, we didn't have time to check out Pallet's offering by Bijan Ghiai, winner of the Utah Chapter's US Bartender's Guild's 2015 competition - A Widow's Welcome [Cognac, Creme de Cassis, Pernod, Lemon, Hot Water.]

*Photo courtesy of Pallet Bistro :: A Widow's Welcome :: Cognac, Creme de Casses, Pernod, Lemon, Hot Water

The opera itself was incredible. I was fully prepared to not have a clue of what was going on - despite their website clearly listing The Merry Widow as spoken and sung in english. Between the subtitles being projected above the stage and the libretto [text of the opera's spoken word] available to be read at the Libretti and Libations locations, it was perfectly easy to follow and laugh along. I hadn't expected the opera to be full of such humor... or snacks! I highly recommend arriving early to attend the pre-show lecture series and have time to get situated. We had to get home to our babyguy-turned-toddler-dude, but the Q&A session offered afterwards with Christopher McBeth, Utah Opera's Artistic Director, sounded like such an interesting opportunity.

It was so fun to get our of our usual movie or dinner date routine. It was fun to get dressed up, but the opera is not the stuffy, pretentious affair some might imagine. Seeing the enthusiasm and joy radiate from the artists on stage and imaging all the work it takes to present such production was an inspiring way to spend a Saturday night downtown.


**Don't forget to enter to win tickets to The Merry Widow here on slcFLAKE by commenting on which opera this season you're most looking forward to *here* or by entering in the Libretti and Libations Photo Contest by hashtagging your L&L cocktails with #UtahOperaSips! Good luck!**



*Tickets for the event were provided by Utah Opera, all opinions are my own ♥